Ainaro, 15 June 2026 – The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan,” participated as a speaker in a Municipal Dialogue entitled “Reflecting Together on the Real Conditions of Agriculture and Finding Solutions to Existing Challenges.” The event, organized by the Civil Society Organization Asosiasaun HAK, brought together community leaders, local authorities, and residents to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the agricultural sector. The Ombudsman emphasized that agriculture is not only an economic issue but also a human rights concern, as access to food, livelihoods, and sustainable development are essential for ensuring the well-being and dignity of citizens.
During the dialogue, Lamukan highlighted that one of PDHJ’s mandates is to monitor and oversee public institutions to ensure that authorities at all levels fulfill their responsibilities and remain accountable to the people. He stressed that good governance requires public officials to respond to community needs, manage public resources responsibly, and implement policies that improve citizens’ living conditions. He noted that village chiefs and local leaders, as representatives chosen by the people, have a particular responsibility to understand local realities and promote the development potential of agriculture, business, and tourism within their communities.
The Ombudsman also underscored the need to address challenges affecting agricultural productivity, including irrigation systems and land-use issues that prevent farmers from maximizing production. He stated that ensuring farmers have access to adequate infrastructure and support services is part of the State’s obligation to progressively realize economic and social rights, including the right to an adequate standard of living and food security. He further encouraged local authorities to develop Ainaro’s tourism potential, including its national park and natural attractions, as a means of generating income and expanding economic opportunities for local communities.
Lamukan called on the Government to allocate greater and more reasonable resources to productive sectors such as agriculture, education and health, noting that public budgeting should reflect the needs and priorities of the population. He also advocated for stronger fiscal decentralization, arguing that local authorities require sufficient resources to effectively address community concerns and deliver public services. According to the Ombudsman, transparent and accountable management of public funds, combined with active participation by community leaders and citizens, is fundamental to advancing both good governance and human rights-based development in Timor-Leste.
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